ILOILO CITY – Incoming Antique Gov. Paolo Javier cited outgoing Gov. Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao despite their political differences.
GOV. Cadiao and Gov. Javier
“She has done her best for the Antiqueños,” said Javier during the ceremonial turnover on Friday, June 28.
“Duro man nabuligan ang aton gobernadora (Our governor did help a lot of people),” added Javier, who lost to Cadiao in the 2019 gubernatorial race.
Javier vowed to continue the good programs of the Cadiao administration.
“We will try to continue the initiatives and programs of our outgoing governor as long as it is efficient, effective, and with empathy,” added Javier.
Paolo is the son of Exequiel “Boy Ex” Javier, who interchangeably served as governor and congressman.
The Javiers lost their political grip in the 2019 elections when Boy Ex lost the congressional race to now Sen. Loren Legarda while Cadiao defeated Paolo, the incumbent congressman.
In the 2025 elections, Loren broke her political alliance with Cadiao when she ran and lost to her brother Rep. AA Legarda.
The Legardas backed Paolo’s candidacy against Jonathan Tan, Cadiao’s chosen successor.
Paolo is the nephew of Evelio Javier, the former governor who was assassinated in February 1986 for guarding the votes of Corazon C. Aquino. Evelio’s death was one of the moments that triggered the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.